The nonprofit Just Income will start payments to another cohort of 22 persons released from prison or jail in the past year.  

Started by Community Spring, the program provides $7,600 over the course of a year with no limitations on how the funds are used. The funds come in monthly installments, and the new group – all are residents from Alachua County – marks a transition for Just Income from its pilot program last year.  

Just Income received recognition from Dream.org’s Justice Innovation Prize and the “It’s Basic” documentary for their work during the pilot program. The group aims to reduce recidivism, former inmates returning to incarceration, by providing funds to pay legal fees, get transportation or whatever their needs.  

Kevin Scott, program director, said in a press release that the first disbursement of funds is a momentous moment for recipients. The monthly payments are scheduled to begin on Jan. 15 

“We are excited to keep interrupting the all-too-familiar revolving door of poverty and incarceration,” Scott said in the release. “Our pilot project has shown the changes and opportunities a guaranteed income can bring to people’s lives, which benefits the entire community.” 

The press release highlighted several positives that they found in the pilot program, including improved housing stability, resolution of legal fees, reduced probation violations, enhanced employment situations, strengthened familial bonds and positive effects on physical and mental well-being.